New California law documents undocumented

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new law to make us safer on the roads takes effect this week, but there's some doubt as to whether it'll actually be put to use.

"I think you're going to see people not going to the DMV because they're afraid of the government," said Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League.

AB 60 allows undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses without any immigration consequences. The state hired 900 new workers -- including three dozen here in the Central Valley -- to make sure the DMV can handle a flood of new applications starting Friday. But the reality may be more a like a trickle of new licenses being issued, at least at first.

Big changes are coming to the DMV in 2015. AB 60 created a new class of California driver -- undocumented immigrants who will now be documented, but only as legal drivers. The law takes effect in just a few days, but no one knows exactly how it'll play out.

"We're really not sure what to expect on day one on Friday," said Jessica Gonzalez at DMV headquarters in Sacramento. "We are expecting a lot of people to come in. Our appointments are pretty full in our field offices."

At the Olive Avenue field office, 23 new employees are preparing for an influx of new driver's license applicants. The agency expects about 1.4 million of them over the next three years, but that may be optimistic.

"I don't think it'll be that high at all," said Cunha. "I think people are going to be just like with some of the immigration issues. I think they're going to be really cautious because now they're going to have a full database on these people."

The law is designed to bring undocumented drivers out of the shadows -- to make sure they're insured and fully aware of traffic laws, while also protecting them from unscrupulous businesses that might take advantage of their status.

Cunha says the law may expose immigrants to new scams -- like offers to get licenses without ever visiting the DMV. That won't work, but the agency is offering Saturday appointments at four Valley offices. Cunha says businesses also need to be careful when employees get the new licenses.

"They're going to get into trouble," he said. "The employer is going to get himself into a situation where he knows now that this individual wasn't legal before."

Several agencies are helping to get the word out about AB 60 -- including the Catholic Church and the Mexican consulate.

Under the new law, drivers still need to pass written and behind-the-wheel tests, and they have to prove their identity to get a license.